CBNNews.com -- Less than two hours after a Connecticut judge cleared the way for same-sex marriages to begin, the state's first gay wedding was officiated Wednesday morning in a brief ceremony near the New Haven City Hall.

The Family Institute of Connecticut, a political action group opposing gay marriage, expressed strong disapproval of the court's decision. While the group's executive director agreed that getting same-sex marriage banned in Connecticut would be difficult, he vowed not give up.

"Unlike California, we did not have a remedy," Peter Wolfgang said. "It must be overturned with patience, determination and fortitude."

Last month, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled 4-3 in favor of eight gay couples that challenged state's civil union law that gave them the same rights as married couples, but barred them from getting married.

The ruling in Connecticut was a victory for same-sex marriage supporters after defeats across the board last week in California, Arizona, and Florida.

Voters in those states passed amendments banning same-sex unions, prompting state-wide protests in California and a handful of lawsuits appealing to the California Supreme Court. The state's highest court could decide the issue as early as this week.